On April 13 – 15, 2017 the Riyadh Golf Club hosted the 2017 GCC 18 & Under and 15 & Under Golf Championship. After months of hard work the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 15 & Under National Golf Team found themselves on top of the podium collecting the Overall Team Gold Medal. Leading the way for the 15 & Under Team was Rashid Al Emadi who captured the Gold Medal in the Individual Category. The UAE 18 & Under Team finished in 5th Place.
The 15 & Under UAE National Golf Team lifting the 1st Place Trophy while wearing their Gold Medals
The 2017 GCC 18 & Under and 15 & Under Golf Championship was be played at the Riyadh Golf Club. The course provided the young golfers with a good challenge. Its undulating terrains and wide fairways tested the best GCC Juniors in the region.
Rashid Al Emaid stole the show for the UAE this past weekend. The young 15-year-old captured the Gold Medal in the Individual Category while leading his team to the Overall Team Gold Medal with rounds of 85-87-85 for a championship total of 257.
After a month of practice at the Jumeirah Golf Estates – European Tour Performance Institute (JGE – ETPI) the teams’ hard work has paid off. During their time at the JGE – ETPI the teams worked on “Development of Short Game and Scoring” while preparing mentally for championship golf.
“My short game practice over the past few weeks really helped. My driver was working well but it was the focus around the greens that made the difference this weekend. I’d like to thank my team and coaches for pushing me to do well. We are so happy to have won this Medal for the UAE and I can’t wait to share this with my friends and family”, said Rashid after the championship.
Also having a solid championship for the 15 & Under team was Obaid Al Heloo. Obaid won the Bronze Medal in the Individual Category with rounds of 90-89-84 for a championship total of 263. Rounding off the team was Khaled Al Mutawa who finished 8th in the Individual Category. Al Mutawa shot rounds of 95-93-92 for a 280 total.
Finishing in Second Place in the Overall Team Category – 15 & Under Division was Bahrain. Oman finished in Third Place.
The 18 & Under National Team finished in Fifth Place in the Overall Team Category. Mohammed Al Hajeri, Mohammed Abdulla Saeed, and Rashid Al Qubaisi represented the team. Finishing in Fifth Place in the Individual Category and missing the Top-Three by three (3) strokes was Mohammed Al Hajeri. Al Hajeri just at the age of 16 fired rounds of 79-81-78 for a total of 238.
Mohammed Saeed Abdullah finished in 13th Place and Rashid Al Qubaisi finished in 14th Place for the UAE Team in the Individual Category. The 18 & Under Division was won by Bahrain with Saudi Arabia coming in Second Place.
“The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) is very proud of our teams. All of these boys are a product of the National Junior Development Program and this shows that our pathway and programs will continue producing young talent. This is just the start for these boys. We are looking to keep them focused and continue to develop their skills”, said National Team Manager and Emirates Golf federation Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.
To follow the teams’ progression and to keep updated with UAE golf news follow the EGF on social media.
About the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)
The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) was formed in 1995 and is the Governing Body of Golf in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The EGF administrates and provides the United States Golf Association (USGA) Handicap System to all EGF members. The EGF sanctions all amateur and professional golfing events and activities in the UAE.
The EGF is a non-profit organization with the goals and responsibility of increasing awareness and participation in golf. The EGF actively conducts an Order of Merit Season, National Junior Development Program, and Senior, Junior, and Ladies National Team Programs. The EGF and UAE golf clubs work closely together to help shape the future of golf in the UAE.
To gain more information about the EGF and UAE golf visit the EGF Website and Social Media pages listed.
EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com
EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation
EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf
EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation
EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)
